Page 83 of The Shadowbound and the False God

Kael slid a hand under Aisling’s sweater to caress her waist, coming to rest against the small of her back as he lowered his head to press his forehead to hers.

“I dislike seeing you in another male’s clothes,” he said.

Aisling smiled and brushed the tip of her nose against his. “I hardly consider Rodney another male.”

“Lovely Ash, thanks for that,” Rodney called from the larger chamber. When she giggled, Kael captured it with another kiss. She tasted just as sweet as ever.

“May I stay?” Kael kept up the steady pressure on her back, holding her to him. If she asked for space, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to pull himself away from her now. He’d much prefer to never give her space again.

By way of answering, Aisling drew out of his grasp then eased herself down to lay on her side where she’d spread his cloak. His breath hitched, assuming it was as good as a wordless dismissal before she turned and asked, “Are you coming?”

Kael’s smile was wide as he sank down to lay beside her.

For several moments he listened to her shifting around before he swallowed hard and slid closer. He snaked one arm around her waist and she stilled, finally.

“Lift your head,” he murmured.

She obeyed wordlessly and he stretched his arm out underneath to cradle it against the hard floor. The muscles inher neck relaxed and she settled back against him. She fit there perfectly. He carded his fingers through her hair, coaxing her further down.

“You are so warm,” he whispered against her shoulder, relishing in the heat her body radiated—that which he had so craved since coming to this cold place.

Aisling hummed, already half asleep now that he was holding her.

He stroked her hair, her skin, soothingly. Rhythmically. Hoping that each touch and reassuring gesture would communicate his unspoken thoughts. And once her body had gone lax against his, he continued to run his fingers through her hair and skim his hand over her side, trying to convey the depth of his feelings for her even as they both laid silently together.

“Kael.” The word was little more than a breath, but hearing her say his name was enough to quell that compulsion and he allowed his hand to settle over hers.

He pulled her in a little closer. “Yes, alright. I’m falling asleep.”

The words were a half-truth. His body and mind were weary, but the thrill of holding her again, the hope and happiness coursing through him, made it difficult even to imagine sleeping. Instead, he remained silent, eyes closed and body motionless while he let himself feel all of those things for the first time in a very, very long while.

“This plan is half-brained,” Sudryl warned, “and it will not succeed.”

The group stood at the edge of the Enclave, shoulder to shoulder between two of the twisted rowan trees. With the cairn at their back and the vast, dark wood ahead, Aisling felt as though she was back on the cliffside overlooking the deep chasm Yalde created for her. Except here, there were no bridges. There was no trick, no riddle. There was only one path ahead—but at least this time, she wouldn’t walk it alone.

Kael took her hand and gripped it firmly in his own. His presence beside her was fortifying. She could face anything just so long as he stayed right there. She didn’t dare look at his face, though. The resignation he wore there was discomforting to see. He knew,sworehe knew, what he was giving up. Swore he was ready to do so, and swore he’d come to terms with it. But even still, Aisling couldn’t shake the sense of dread that had settled so heavy and cold in her gut.

“We will not have much time once we’re beyond the bounds of Antiata. You’re certain you recall the way?” Raif asked Rodney. The soldier was tense, too. Though whatever Kael had said to him out of her earshot was enough to bring him around to the plan, he still seemed to support it only out of obligation. He didn’t like it any more than Aisling did.

Rodney nodded, nervously fidgeting with the tufted end of his tail. “I can get us there.”

“The glamour won’t be too much?” Aisling looked up at her friend, at the dark circles that had only gotten darker beneath his eyes and the way his cheeks seemed drained of color. Using this much of that magic he’d left untouched for so long had left him drained—but not without humor.

“So little faith, Ash.” He nudged her shoulder with his. “Elowas Rodney is the new and improved version. Save for this bit, anyway.” He tossed his tail back over his shoulder and shook out his hands.

“You will not be welcomed back once you leave this place.” Sudryl watched them from beside the felled rowan tree, propped up now by a tower of stones. It was the third time she’d said as much: she wouldn’t have them bringing back the consequences of their failure to her doorstep.

“You have my word.” Raif had turned to face the faerie and lowered himself to one knee, coming closer to eye level with her.

“You are a male of many commitments, soldier. I only hope you make good on each.” Sudryl’s sternness faltered just slightly when he raised his closed fist and pressed it to his chest, over his heart.

“Orist will be healed yet, I swear to you,” he said low, dipping his head in solemn promise. “I will find her mirror, and you will know it when I have.”

Satisfied, if for once speechless, Sudryl gave one final nod to the group before retreating into the cairn. Raif rose from the ground and rejoined their line.

“Your move, Weaver,” he prompted. Rodney closed his eyes tightly and drew in deep breaths until slowly, slowly, the air around them grew heavy. Aisling felt the glamour settle over them, this one even more suffocating than the last. It was a thick, stifling blanket, wet and weighted nearly enough to pull her down. She struggled against it for a moment before Kael’s fingers tightened on hers. He said nothing, and his eyes were still focused straight ahead, but the subtle squeeze was all the reassurance she needed to relieve some of that tightness building in her chest.

One step, then another. The group moved together, careful to stay close beneath the invisible mantle. The tree line drew nearer and nearer until the forest opened its gaping maw before them and, like willing prey, they let it swallow them up whole.

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